Antioxidant Properties Research Articles

A Novel Fluorescent Probe containing dihydropyrimidinone Analogue for Highly Sensitive, Selective Detection of Al(III) Ions with its Molecular Docking, ADME/T and Anticancer Impact

AbstractIn this investigation, a novel and promising chemosensor incorporating a dihydropyrimidinone moiety, namely; (E)‐4‐(4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl)‐5‐(3‐(4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl)acryloyl)‐6‐methyl‐3,4 dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one (DPDAD), has been successfully synthesized and characterized. The DPDAD chemosensor‘s response was evaluated in diverse solvents with varying polarities, shedding light on its solvatochromic behavior. The assessment of colorimetric and optical sensing attributes toward a range of metal ions such as Al(III), Cr(III), Mn II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) was undertaken. Notably, DPDAD displayed discernible color alterations upon interaction with all the examined metal ions, with a significant bathochromic shift observed in the absorption spectra in the presence of Al(III), distinguishing it from the other metal ions. Furthermore, through detailed absorption and emission spectral analyses, DPDAD exhibited remarkable selectivity, sensitivity, and an on‐off‐on switchable behavior specifically with Al(III) ions, over the other metal ions. The binding constant was determined as 0.39×105 M−1, accompanied by a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.03×10−5 M. Notably, the DPDAD′s potential extends beyond metal ion sensing; it was computationally assessed for its capability to inhibit the γ‐secretase enzyme. Moreover, DPDAD′s antioxidant attributes were probed, and its inhibitory effect against a range of cancer cell lines was verified in‐vitro.

Neem Leaf Extract Exhibits Anti-Aging and Antioxidant Effects from Yeast to Human Cells

Neem leaves have long been used in traditional medicine for promoting longevity. However, the precise mechanisms underlying their anti-aging effects remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the impact of neem leaf extract (NLE) extracted from a 50% ethanol solution on the chronological lifespan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, revealing an extension in lifespan, heightened oxidative stress resistance, and a reduction in reactive oxygen species. To discern the active compounds in NLE, LC/MS and the GNPS platform were employed. The majority of identified active compounds were found to be flavonoids. Subsequently, compound-target pharmacological networks were constructed using the STP and STITCH platforms for both S. cerevisiae and Homo sapiens. GOMF and KEGG enrichment analyses of the predicted targets revealed that “oxidoreductase activity” was among the top enriched terms in both yeast and human cells. These suggested a potential regulation of oxidative stress response (OSR) by NLE. RNA-seq analysis of NLE-treated yeast corroborated the anti-oxidative effect, with “oxidoreductase activity” and “oxidation-reduction process” ranking high in enriched GO terms. Notably, CTT1, encoding catalase, emerged as the most significantly up-regulated gene within the “oxidoreductase activity” cluster. In a ctt1 null mutant, the enhanced oxidative stress resistance and extended lifespan induced by NLE were nullified. For human cells, NLE pretreatment demonstrated a decrease in reactive oxygen species levels and senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity in HeLa cells, indicative of anti-aging and anti-oxidative effects. This study unveils the anti-aging and anti-oxidative properties of NLE while delving into their mechanisms, providing novel insights for pharmacological interventions in aging using phytochemicals.

Comparative Pharmacokinetic Study of Standard Astaxanthin and its Micellar Formulation in HealthyMale Volunteers.

Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring carotenoid with high anti-oxidant properties, but it is a very lipophilic compound with low oral bioavailability. This study was conducted to compare the pharmacokinetic parameters of a novel astaxanthin preparation based on micellar solubilization technology, NovaSOL® 400-mg capsules (Test product), and those of astaxanthin 400-mg capsules (reference product), after single oral dose administration to healthy male adults. A single oral dose (400 mg equivalent to 8 mg astaxanthin) of test and reference astaxanthin were administered with 240 mL of water to 12 volunteers according to crossover design, in two phases, with a washout period of 1week in between. Blood samples were collected at hourly intervals for the first 12 h, then at 24.0, 48.0, and 72.0 h after administration. Aliquots of plasma were centrifuged and the clear supernatant was injected into the high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) system. Plasma concentration of astaxanthin versus time profiles were constructed, and the primary pharmacokinetic parameters, maximum concentration (Cmax), area under concentration time curve from time of administration (0) to time (t) [AUC0-t] or to infinity ∞, [AUC0-∞], half-life (T½) and time to reach Cmax (Tmax)were calculated. The test micellar astaxanthin reached a Cmax of 7.21 µg/ml after 3.67 h compared to only 3.86 µg/ml after 8.5 h for the reference native astaxanthin. Micellar formulation of astaxanthin is capable of producing a high concentration of astaxanthin in plasma in a shorter time, thereby expected to provide faster potential therapeutic efficacy.

Anti-oxidant and Wound Healing Potentials of Gnetum africanum Welw and Ficus vogelii Miq Extracts

Background: Gnetum africanum and Ficus vogelii are vegetables consumed in some parts of Africa. They are used in ethno medicine for treatment of different diseases, and are particularly known to hasten wound healing. The study aimed at investigating the wound healing properties of the plants in a rat model. Materials and Methods: The powdered leaves of the two plants were successively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. The crude methanol extract was screened for secondary metabolites and anti-oxidant properties. The wound healing activity was evaluated using excision wound model. Thirty healthy female Wistar albino rats (150-200 kg) were used for the experiment and randomized into 5% extract + ointment, 3.5% extract + ointment, simple ointment, and gentamicin treatment groups. The ointments were administered topically daily, and wound contraction was measured every alternate day. The percentage wound closure rate and histopathology of healed wound area were determined. The antioxidant activity of the plants was determined using the DPPH scavenging activity and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). Results: The methanol extracts of both plants showed the presence tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and steroids in varying amounts. The antioxidant assays revealed that the extracts of both plants had good anti-oxidant properties. Extracts of Gnetum africanum at 3.5% w/w and Ficus vogelii 5% w/w exhibited potent healing activity, eliciting 100% wound closure by day 7. Conclusion: The study revealed that Gnetum africanum and Ficus vogelii have wound healing properties which scientifically justifies its use for treatment of wounds traditionally and could be developed into useful drugs for wound treatment and management.

All-natural and triple-inspired Janus electrospun fibers with integrated functions for high-performance liquid food packaging

The liquid barrier is a central component of functional liquid packaging materials and is crucial for encapsulating liquid food. To develop high-performance liquid packaging materials for the long-term storage of liquid food, a strong and stable liquid barrier and the simultaneous integration of diverse functionalities must be realized. In this study, inspired by mussel adhesion proteins, nanoparticles are synthesized through oxidative self-polymerization. Furthermore, electrostatic spinning is used for creating multifunctional electrospun fibers for liquid food packaging, which is inspired by the superhydrophobicity of lotus leaf surface and structures of red blood cells. A unique Janus structure with a thin hydrophilic layer and a thick hydrophobic layer prevents liquid food penetration for 12 (EHN/KN electrospun fibers) and 17 days (KN/EHN electrospun fibers). The liquid infiltration mechanism of Janus electrospun fibers is elucidated using the multibody dissipative particle dynamics method, emphasizing their efficacy in avoiding liquid penetration. Moreover, multifunctional KN/EHN electrospun fibers exhibit remarkable characteristics such as water resistance (water contact angle > 150°), UV-blocking (∼100 %), degradability (70 days in soil), biosafety (∼100 %), antioxidation (> 90 %), antimicrobial (∼100 %), grapes and meat freshness retention properties. Thus, this study provides insights into sustainable, high-performance liquid food packaging for enhanced preservation.

Highly scalable and robust ribbon-like coordination polymer as green catalyst for Hantzsch condensation in synthesis of DHPs and bioactive drug molecule

Ribbon-like coordination polymers (CP) represents a highly unexplored innovative class of metal-coordination network. Herein, we have developed a highly scalable and chemically robust (pH = 3–10 stable) ribbon-like CP [{Cu(Pim)(L)(H2O)·H2O}]n(1) following a complete environment-friendly green synthesis route. Considering the presence of surface flanked labile coordinated water molecules and their appealing correlation with one-dimensional structural characteristics, such sort of ribbon-like CP was explored for the first time as excellent heterogeneous surface catalyst for largely unexplored three-component Hantzsch condensation for synthesis of different classes of dihydropyridine (DHP). Moreover, 1 is employed to synthesize bio-responsive drug ‘Ethidine’ (possessing high anti-oxidant and anticarcinogenic properties) characterized with Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction (SCXRD) analysis. Several DHP-based products are also analysed through in-depth SCXRD analysis. This report inaugurates the usage of a Cu(II) based ribbon-like CPs as heterogeneous surface catalyst following environmentally benign manner for synthesis of bioactive DHPs and Drugs.

Red Algae Compounds: Potential Neuroprotective Agents for Neurodegenerative Disorders

This review explores the potential of compounds derived from red algae (Rhodophyta) as promising neuroprotective agents for treating neurodegenerative disorders. Red algae, abundant in marine environments, contain bioactive compounds with diverse chemical structures and functionalities. Sulfated polysaccharides, primarily agar and carrageenans, stand out as the predominant and widely utilized compounds derived from red algae. Additionally, red algae harbor a spectrum of potential molecules such as essential fatty acids, phycobiliproteins, vitamins, minerals, and secondary metabolites. Extensive research has highlighted the diverse biological activities exhibited by these compounds, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds show various biological activities that have garnered interest in their therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding the extraction, characterization, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic applications of Rhodophyta-derived compounds in the context of neuroprotection and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluating Bioaccessibility, Bioavailability, and Antioxidant Activities of Butterfly Pea Flower Containing Bioactive Constitutes

The antioxidant properties of butterfly pea flower (BF), which is rich in natural anthocyanins, have garnered significant attention. The impact of digestion and metabolism on BF extracts and evaluate their subsequent antioxidant activities in vivo were explored in the present study. After in vitro digestion, 42.03 ± 2.74% of total anthocyanins from BF extracts remained, indicating a negative influence of the digestion process on the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds derived from BF. Furthermore, UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS2 analysis identified a total of four prototypes and twenty-seven metabolites in rat plasma or urine samples following the intake of BF extracts. The kinetics of key metabolites including delphinidin 3-glucoside (D3G), cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were subsequently determined in blood, and the Cmax values were 69.034 ± 8.05 nM and 51.65 ± 3.205 nM. These key metabolites derived from BF anthocyanins, including C3G and D3G, and flavonoid quercetin exhibited main antioxidant attributes that improved the plasmic and hepatic activities of various antioxidant enzymes and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in a D-galactose-induced rat model. These findings provide insights into the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of bioactive constitutes derived from BF extracts, which are crucial for determining the actual efficacy of BF as well as developing functional foods based on BF.

In vitro study on anti-proliferative and anti-cancer activity of picrosides in triple-negative breast cancer.

Picrorhiza kurroa, an "Indian gentian," a known Himalayan medicinal herb with rich source of phytochemicals like picrosides I, II, and other glycosides, has been traditionally used for the treatment of liver and respiratory ailments. Picrosides anti-proliferative, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and other pharmacological properties were evaluated in treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Picroside I and II were procured from Sigma-Aldrich and were analyzed for anti-cancer activity in triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells. Cell viability was analyzed using MTT and trypan blue assays. Apoptosis was analyzed through DNA fragmentation and Annexin V/PI flow cytometric analysis. Wound healing and cell survival assays were employed to determine the inhibition of invasion capacity and anti-proliferative activity of picrosides in MDA-MB-231 cells. Measurement of intracellular ROS was studied through mitochondrial membrane potential assessment using DiOC6 staining for anti-oxidant activity of picrosides in MDA-MB-231 cells. Both Picroside I and II have shown decreased cell viability of MDA-MB-231 cells with increasing concentrations. IC50 values of 95.3µM and 130.8µM have been obtained for Picroside I and II in MDA-MB-231 cells. Early apoptotic phase have shown an increase of 20% (p < 0.05) with increasing concentrations (0, 50, 75, and 100µM) of Picroside I and 15% (p < 0.05) increase with Picroside II. Decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential of 2-2.5-fold (p < 0.05) was observed which indicated decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation with increasing concentrations of Picroside I and II. An increasing percentage of 70-80% (p < 0.05) cell population was arrested in G0/G1 phase of cell cycle after Picroside I and II treatment in cancer cells. Our results suggest that Picroside I and II possess significant anti-proliferative and anti-cancer activity which is mediated by inhibition of cell growth, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA damage, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest. Therefore, Picroside I and II can be developed as a potential anti-cancer drug of future and further mechanistic studies are underway to identify the mechanism of anti-cancer potential.

The effects of grafted multiple phenolic antioxidants onto polymethacrylate type pour point depressants on the low-temperature flowability and oxidation stability of biodiesel blends

The enhancement of cold flow properties (CFPs) and oxidative stability (OS) in biodiesel-diesel blends typically involves the use of pour point depressants and antioxidants. However, a scant number of additives are capable of manifesting both pour point depression and antioxidant functionalities concurrently. This study explored the grafting of syringic acid (SA), 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (DTBHA), and gallic acid (GA) onto polymethacrylate (PMA) type copolymers, culminating efficacious copolymers, namely PTG-SA, PTG-DTBHA and PTG-GA. The findings reveal that with the addition of 1500 ppm of PTG-GA, the CFPP and PP of B20 (20 vol% soybean biodiesel+80 vol% diesel) decrease by 10 and 18 °C respectively, and with the addition of 2000 ppm, the induction period (IP) of B20 can be extended from 1.34 to 8.69 h. In contrast, the application of PTG-SA and PTG-DTBHA to B20 led to inferior OS and CFPs as compared to PTG-GA. The inherent scientific mechanism that underlies this performance discrepancy was thoroughly investigated, scrutinizing it through the lens of co-crystallization and nucleation processes. This research underscores the potential of post-modification of PMA type pour point depressants with antioxidants, a strategy that not only bolsters the CFPs of B20 but also confers antioxidant attributes to the pour point depressants.

A randomized double-blind active-controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of topical basil (Ocimum basilicum) oil in knee osteoarthritis.

Basil is a widely used herb in Persian medicine and is gaining recognition as a functional food worldwide. This trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of a traditional formulation of basil oil in comparison with diclofenac gel in treating knee osteoarthritis, considering its established anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and anti-oxidative properties. One hundred eligible patients were equally randomized to the traditional basil oil (containing sesame oil) and diclofenac gel groups. They used their respective topical treatments thrice daily for 4weeks. Various measurements were taken at the beginning of the study, 2, and 4 weeks after starting the intervention, including the 8-m walk test, knee pain (based on visual analog scale), flexion angle of the knee joint, analgesic consumption, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. No significant differences were observed between the basil oil and diclofenac gel groups in any of the measured outcomes. However, significant improvements were noted within each group for most variables. Topical application of the traditional formulation of basil oil appears to improve clinical symptoms and certain functional indicators of knee osteoarthritis to a similar extent as diclofenac gel. This suggests that basil oil could be considered an effective management option for this condition. Clinical Trial Registration: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/, identifier IRCT2017081711341N7.

Protective effects of paeonol against cognitive impairment in lung diseases

Pulmonary inflammation may lead to neuroinflammation resulting in neurological dysfunction, and it is associated with a variety of acute and chronic lung diseases. Paeonol is a herbal phenolic compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. The aim of this study is to understand the beneficial effects of paeonol on cognitive impairment, pulmonary inflammation and its underlying mechanisms. Pulmonary inflammation-associated cognitive deficit was observed in TNFα-stimulated mice, and paeonol mitigated the cognitive impairment by reducing the expressions of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) in hippocampus. Moreover, elevated plasma miR-34c-5p in lung-inflamed mice was also reduced by paeonol. Pulmonary inflammation induced by intratracheal instillation of TNFα in mice resulted in immune cells infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, pulmonary edema, and acute fibrosis, and these inflammatory responses were alleviated by paeonol orally. In MH-S alveolar macrophages, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α- and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced inflammasome activation was ameliorated by paeonol. In addition, the expressions of antioxidants were elevated by paeonol, and reactive oxygen species production was reduced. In this study, paeonol demonstrates protective effects against cognitive deficits and pulmonary inflammation by exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, suggesting a powerful benefit as a potential therapeutic agent.

Marine seaweed endophytic fungi-derived active metabolites promote reactive oxygen species-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

Endophytic fungi have an abundant sources rich source of rich bioactive molecules with pivotal pharmacological properties. Several studies have found that endophytic fungi-derived bioactive secondary metabolites have antiproliferative, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, but the molecular mechanism by which they induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis pathways is unknown. This study aimed to determine the molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer property of the endophytic fungi derived active secondary metabolites on human breast cancer cells. In this study, we identified four endophytic fungi from marine seaweeds and partially screened its phytochemical properties by Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Moreover, the molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer property of these active secondary metabolites (FA, FB, FC and FE) on human breast cancer cells were examined on MCF-7 cells by TT assay, Apoptotic assay by Acridine orang/Ethidium Bromide (Dual Staining), DNA Fragmentation by DAPI Staining, reactive oxygen species (ROS) determination by DCFH-DA assay, Cell cycle analysis was conducted Flow cytometry and the apoptotic signalling pathway was evaluated by westernblot analysis. Doxorubicin was used as a positive control drug for this experiment. The GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract of endophytic fungi from the marine macro-algae revealed the different functional groups and bioactive secondary metabolites. From the library, we observed the FC (76%), FB (75%), FA (73%) and FE (71%) have high level of antioxidant activity which was assessed by DPPH scavenging assay. Further, we evaluated the cytotoxic potentials of these secondary metabolites on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells for 24h and the IC50 value were calculated (FA:28.62 ± 0.3µg/ml, FB:49.81 ± 2.5µg/ml, FC:139.42 ± µg/ml and FE:22.47 ± 0.5µg/ul) along with positive control Doxorubicin 15.64 ± 0.8µg/ml respectively by MTT assay. The molecular mechanism by which the four active compound induced apoptosis via reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 cells was determined H2DCFDA staining, DAPI staining, Acridine orange and ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) dual staining, flowcytometry analysis with PI staining and apoptotic key regulatory proteins expression levels measured by westernblot analysis. Our findings, revealed the anticancer potential of endophytic fungi from marine seaweed as a valuable source of bioactive compounds with anticancer properties and underscore the significance of exploring marine-derived endophytic fungi as a promising avenue for the development of novel anticancer agents. Further investigations are necessary to isolate and characterize specific bioactive compounds responsible for these effects and to validate their therapeutic potential in preclinical and clinical settings.

Bioarchitectural Design of Bioactive Biopolymers: Structure–Function Paradigm for Diabetic Wound Healing

Chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers are a major complication in diabetes caused by hyperglycemia, prolonged inflammation, high oxidative stress, and bacterial bioburden. Bioactive biopolymers have been found to have a biological response in wound tissue microenvironments and are used for developing advanced tissue engineering strategies to enhance wound healing. These biopolymers possess innate bioactivity and are biodegradable, with favourable mechanical properties. However, their bioactivity is highly dependent on their structural properties, which need to be carefully considered while developing wound healing strategies. Biopolymers such as alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and collagen have previously been used in wound healing solutions but the modulation of structural/physico-chemical properties for differential bioactivity have not been the prime focus. Factors such as molecular weight, degree of polymerization, amino acid sequences, and hierarchical structures can have a spectrum of immunomodulatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant properties that could determine the fate of the wound. The current narrative review addresses the structure–function relationship in bioactive biopolymers for promoting healing in chronic wounds with emphasis on diabetic ulcers. This review highlights the need for characterization of the biopolymers under research while designing biomaterials to maximize the inherent bioactive potency for better tissue regeneration outcomes, especially in the context of diabetic ulcers.

Extraction and In Vitro Skincare Effect Assessment of Polysaccharides Extract from the Roots of Abelmoschus manihot (L.).

Obtaining high-added value compounds from agricultural waste receives increasing attention, as it can both improve resource utilization efficiency and reduce waste generation. In this study, polysaccharides are extracted from the discarded roots of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) by the high-efficiency ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). The optimized condition was determined as solid-liquid ratio SL ratio = 1:20, temperature T = 30 °C and time T = 40 min, achieving an extraction yield of 13.41%. Composition analysis revealed that glucose (Glc, 44.65%), rhamnose (Rha, 26.30%), galacturonic acid (GalA, 12.50%) and galactose (Gal, 9.86%) are the major monosaccharides of the extract. The extract showed a low degree of esterification (DE) value of 40.95%, and its Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum exhibited several characteristic peaks of polysaccharides. Inspired by the wide cosmetic applications of polysaccharides, the skincare effect of the extract was evaluated via the moisture retention, total phenolic content (TPC) quantification, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-free radical scavenging activity, anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase activity experiments. The extract solutions demonstrated a 48 h moisture retention rate of 10.75%, which is superior to that of commercially available moisturizer hyaluronic acid (HA). Moreover, both the TPC value of 16.16 mg GAE/g (dw) and DPPH-free radical scavenging activity of 89.20% at the concentration of 2 mg/mL indicated the strong anti-oxidant properties of the extract. Furthermore, the anti-hyaluronidase activity and moderate anti-elastase activity were determined as 72.16% and 42.02%, respectively. In general, in vitro skincare effect experiments suggest moisturizing, anti-oxidant, anti-radical and anti-aging activities of the A. manihot root extract, indicating its potential applications in the cosmetic industry.

SGPT and SGOT analysis in the wistar rats force feeding white turmeric (Curcuma mangga Val.)

Rhizome plants, such as white turmeric, are trusted by people to improve body immunity. Steam blanching is a preliminary treatment using water steam. This study aims to determine the effect of steam blanching on antioxidation properties, SGPT, and SGOT levels of white turmeric. This study was conducted with several variations, namely the type of white turmeric rhizomes (main and branch) and steam blanching time (0; 2.5; 5; 7.5; and 10 minutes). Analysis of the antioxidant properties of white turmeric includes the antioxidant activity of the FRAP method, flavonoid levels, and tannins. White turmeric powder is also analyzed SGPT and SGOT in vivo on Wistar rats infected with Staphylococcus aureus. The data obtained were tested by statistics using ANOVA, and if there was a significant difference, the Duncan Multiple Range Test was carried out. The results of the selected white turmeric (main rhizome with a 5-minute steam blanching time) antioxidation properties are the antioxidant activity of the FRAP method, which is 8.12 mg Ferro E/g, Flavonoid levels 2.84 mg QE/g, and Tannin 0.19 mg CE/g. The results showed that Wistar rats given white turmeric had the value of SGPT 22.17 U/I, and SGOT 38.60 U/I approached the normal rats with SGPT 18.61 U/I and SGOT 38.19 U/I. This study concludes that white turmeric can reduce levels of SGPT and SGOT rats.

A Comprehensive Study on Peppermint Oil and Cinnamon Oil as Nanoemulsion: Preparation, Stability, Cytotoxicity, Antimicrobial, Antifungal, and Antioxidant Activity.

Recent studies have shown that nanoemulsions prepared with essential oils have significant antimicrobial potential against multidrug-resistant pathogens due to increased chemical stability. Nanoemulsion also promotes controlled and sustained release, which increases their bioavailability and efficacy against multidrug-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity properties of cinnamon essential oil and peppermint essential oil as nanoemulsions compared to pure forms. For this purpose, analyses of the selected stable nanoemulsions were carried out. The droplet sizes and zeta potentials of peppermint essential oil nanoemulsions and cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsions were found to be 154.6±1.42 nm and -17.1±0.68 mV and 200.3±4.71 nm and -20.0±0.81 mV, respectively. Although the amount of essential oil used in nanoemulsions was 25% w/w, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were found to be more effective compared to pure essential oils. In cytotoxicity studies on the 3T3 cell line, both essential oil nanoemulsions showed higher cell viability than pure essential oils. At the same time, cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsions exhibited a higher antioxidant property than peppermint essential oil nanoemulsions and showed superiority in the antimicrobial susceptibility test conducted against four bacteria and two fungi. Cell viability tests determined that cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsions showed considerably higher cell viability compared to pure cinnamon essential oil. These findings indicated that the prepared nanoemulsions in the current study might positively influence the dosing regimen and clinical outcomes of antibiotic therapy.

Phytochemical Composition, In Vitro Antioxidant, and Anticancer Activities of Cold Pressed Oil from Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Sesame seed oil (SSO) has long been used in many complementary and alternative medicine systems to treat a variety of maladies and ailments. SSO was obtained by cold pressing Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) seeds. Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) oil’s chemical constituents identified with GC-MS. Using the DDPH and MTT assays, respectively, the antioxidant and anticancer activities were investigated. phytosterols, (β-sitosterol, Campesterol, and Stigmasterol), lignans such as sesamin, fatty acids such as Oleic Acid, Esters of fatty acid, such as Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, Linoleic acid ethyl ester, flavonoids such as 3′,4′,7Trimethylquercetin, 6,8-di-c-a-glucosylluteolin, the carboxylic ester glycidyl oleate, alcoholic compounds, 1-heptatriacotanol, were the active chemical compounds detected in Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) oil. SSO has a high tocopherol profile. SSO showed antioxidant properties with DDPH radical scavenging of 63.1% relative to standard beta hydroxyl butyrate (BHT). The anticancer effects of SSO against Ovarian carcinoma (A-2780) cell line with IC50 = 1.68 ± 0.3 μg/mL. Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) oil’s chemical constituents identified with GC-MS showed antioxidant and anticancer properties.

N-acetylcysteine Attenuates Cigarette Smoke-induced Alveolar Epithelial Cell Apoptosis through Reactive Oxygen Species Depletion and Glutathione Replenish In vivo and In vitro.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is well known for its antioxidant properties, along with potential protective effects on COPD. However, the molecular mechanism of NAC against the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) in COPD remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the anti-apoptosis effect of NAC in COPD mice and alveolar epithelial cells. In the present study, the mouse model of COPD was established by cigarette smoke (CS), and mouse alveolar epithelial (MLE-12) cells were treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and western blot were performed to evaluate the effects of NAC on apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Meanwhile, LButhionine- sulfoximine (BSO), a glutathione (GSH) inhibitor, was used to uncover the mechanism of COPD treatment by NAC. We found that NAC pretreatment could attenuate the protein levels of apoptosis, ER stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction-related genes caused by CS in vivo. Meanwhile, CSE could decrease MLE-12 cell viability, which was prevented by apoptosis inhibitor ZVAD-FMK but not necroptosis inhibitor necrostatin-1. Pretreatment of MLE-12 cells with NAC increased cellular GSH levels, inhibited cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and decreased protein level of apoptosis, ER stress, and mitochondrial dysfunctionrelated genes. Moreover, experiment results showed that BSO could completely reverse the beneficial effects of NAC. Our study confirmed that NAC can attenuate CS-induced AEC apoptosis via alleviating ROS-mediated ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction pathway, and the mechanism was found to be related to replenishing the cellular GSH content.

Silymarin Improves Thyroid Function in Lithium-treated Bipolar Patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most important side effects of lithium carbonate. Silymarin is a flavonolignan extracted from the milk thistle Silybum marianum (L.), which has remarkable antioxidant and therapeutic properties. This clinical trial study aimed to evaluate the effect of silymarin on thyroid function and serum antioxidant status in patients with lithium-treated bipolar disorder. Methods: Bipolar patients with a depression episode and a history of at least six months of lithium use were randomly divided into placebo-control (n=18) and intervention (n=19) groups. In addition to standard medication, patients in the intervention and control groups received silymarin (140 mg) and placebo tablets daily for ten weeks, respectively. Finally, thyroid function and serum antioxidant status were evaluated along with clinical signs at the beginning and the tenth week. Results: Following the administration of silymarin, a significant increase was observed in total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.004) and total thiol molecules (p = 0.005) levels in serum compared to the placebo group. Although silymarin had no significant effect on serum triiodothyronine (T3) and lithium levels, it could significantly improve the secretory status of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH; p = 0.002) and Thyroxine (T4; p = 0.02) hormones in comparison to the placebo group. Conclusion: The current study showed that silymarin might be effective for thyroid function in lithium- treated bipolar patients by improving body’s antioxidant status. Trial Registration Number: IRCT20190811044513N2